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Illinois town moves to seize Pope Leo XIV's childhood home through eminent domain, convert to historic site

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Illinois town moves to seize Pope Leo XIV's childhood home through eminent domain, convert to historic site

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The Illinois town where Pope Leo XIV’s boyhood home stands is planning to acquire the residence through eminent domain laws despite it being currently up for sale.

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The home’s current owner is reportedly trying to sell the home, but may have little choice over the matter. Under Illinois law, the village has first choice on the property through eminent domain, according to Attorney Burt Odelson who represents the Village of Dolton, Fox Chicago reported. 

The city can acquire the home through eminent domain, the government’s ability to take private property for public purposes.

“The village of Dolton intends to purchase this home either through direct purchase or through their eminent domain powers,” Odelson told Misha Haghani, the CEO and founder of Paramount Realty USA, in a letter dated Tuesday that was provided to Fox News Digital. 

PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLS FIRST AMERICAN POPE LEO XIV AN ‘HONOR’ FOR US, ‘VERY HAPPY’

A person takes a picture of the childhood home of the new Pope Leo XIV in Dolton, Illinois, on May 9, 2025. Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States on May 8, 2025, picking the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.  (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

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The Village of Dolton has the right to purchase the three-bedroom, three-bathroom home even if another buyer is willing to pay a higher price, the letter states. 

“We will do what the archdiocese thinks is best to preserve the home so that everybody, not just in Dolton or the South suburbs, but worldwide, can come to his home,” Odelson told Fox Chicago. 

Village officials are working with the Chicago Archdiocese to turn the home into a historic site that can be visited by the public, Odelson said in his letter. 

CARDINAL ROBERT PREVOST ANNOUNCED AS FIRST AMERICAN POPE, TAKING NAME LEO XIV

Pope Leo XIV speaking with members of the Diplomatic Corp on a number of topics, including family.  (Vatican Media)

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The house was built in 1949 and measures 1,050 square feet, while the lot on the property is just under 5,000 square feet.  The current owner purchased the home for roughly $66,000 Odelson said. The home was renovated this year before going on the market.

“It was on the market for $199,000 and then Pope Leo was made pope, and he took it off the market. And then there was silence,” Odelson explained.

The reserve price is $250,000, according to the Paramount Realty USA auction website, where the home is listed for sale. 

Pope Leo XIV holds Mass during the formal inauguration of his pontificate in St. Peter’s Square. It was attended by heads of state, royalty and ordinary faithful, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Alessandra Tarantino)

“Born Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV made history as the first American pope upon his election in May 2025. His childhood home is being offered for sale via private auction,” the description of the home states. “Located in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, this modest brick home was owned by the Prevost family for nearly 50 years and served as the foundation of a life that would lead to the Vatican.”

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Bids will be accepted through June 18, according to the listing. However, Odelson addressed a letter to Misha Haghani, the CEO and founder of Paramount Realty USA that said it could stall the sale before it ever hits the auction block.

“Please inform any prospective buyers that their ‘purchase’ may only be temporary since the Village intends to begin the eminent domain process very shortly,” he wrote. 

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Paramount Realty USA. 

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Detroit, MI

14-year-old boy shot in chest during Detroit teen takeover testifies in court

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14-year-old boy shot in chest during Detroit teen takeover testifies in court


A Detroit teenager charged in connection with a shooting involving a 14-year-old boy was back in court on Monday for a preliminary exam.

Ramon Smith, 17, is charged with assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, felonious assault, carrying a concealed weapon, and three counts of felony firearm.

Shown is the defendant 17-year-old, Ramon Smith.

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CBS Detroit


Smith, who will be tried as an adult, is accused of shooting 14-year-old Tabaun Clark in the chest during a teen takeover in Detroit on May 17 near Farmer Street.

On Monday, Clark testified in court.

“How many shots did you hear?” an attorney asked Clark.

“Two before I felt something,” Clark said. 

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“Where did you feel something?”

“In my chest.”

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Surveillance video of the shooting shown in court.

CBS Detroit


Officials allege Smith got into a fight with a group, took out a gun and fired multiple shots, striking Clark, who was in the crowd, before running off.

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“Were you bleeding?” an attorney asked Clark. 

“Yes,” Clark replied. 

“Did you realize you had been shot?”

“Yes,” Clark said. 

“What was going through your mind at that point?” the attorney asked. 

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“Try to keep breathin(g),” said Clark.

Detective Serena DeJonge with the Detroit Police Department also took the stand, reading written responses from the defendant once in custody, who describes what he says played out the night of the shooting.

According to DeJonge, the defendant said “a gun fell, so I grabbed it and put it in my book bag.” After the fight, DeJonge said the defendant claimed that as he was walking away, the group followed him. DeJonge said the defendant reported seeing “one of them reaching,” and he pulled his gun out of his bag and fired shots at the group.

screenshot-2026-06-08-170251.png

14-year-old, Tabaun Clark, testifies in court on Monday, June 8.

CBS Detroit

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Evidence revealed in court alleges the defendant fired six shots instead of three.

Judge Patricia Jefferson said there’s enough probable cause to go to trial. The case is now bound over to Wayne County Circuit Court.

Smith is due back in court on June 15. He remains at the juvenile detention facility.



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Milwaukee, WI

Nuisance properties in Milwaukee, police to review monthly call data

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Nuisance properties in Milwaukee, police to review monthly call data


The Milwaukee Police Department says it will do monthly reviews of call data to identify nuisance properties.

It follows efforts by a local group that says thousands of properties should have been cited under the city’s nuisance ordinance.

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Chronic nuisance property ordinance

What we know:

The ordinance was created in 2001 to address nuisance properties in the city, and the impact they can have on quality of life.

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But in recent years, the ordinance has been used less and less.

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It was one of the issues before the steering and rules committee on Monday, June 8, after a push by local group Common Ground.

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Milwaukee Common Council Steering and Rules Committee

It was already working on crunching the numbers when federal prosecutors charged one of the largest landlords on the city’s south side, and others, with allegedly running a drug trafficking enterprise through rental properties.

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Ultimately, Common Ground says thousands of properties across the city should have been declared a nuisance, but weren’t.

A nuisance premises can be cited if it reaches certain thresholds of calls for service within a period of time and the calls are substantiated.

Milwaukee Common Council Steering and Rules Committee

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And if the problem isn’t addressed, it could result in fines.

On Monday, Milwaukee police said it’s a process that takes time, but says it’s changing its procedures and reviewing calls for service each month.

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What they’re saying:

“We’re also doing a deeper dive into that data analysis, requiring all of our district captains to address any, to review those properties and if they choose not to ‘nuisance’ the property that is eligible to be ‘nuisanced,’ why not,” said Milwaukee Police Department Chief of Staff Heather Hough.

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It’s important to note that Milwaukee alders urged the importance of residents calling police about nuisance properties, so there is a record to look back on for if or when a property falls under that nuisance ordinance.

The Source: FOX6 attended the Milwaukee Common Council’s Steering and Rules Committee to produce this story.

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Crime and Public SafetyNewsMilwaukee



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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis Woman Paralyzed Before Wedding Rebuilds Life After 2nd Heart Transplant

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Minneapolis Woman Paralyzed Before Wedding Rebuilds Life After 2nd Heart Transplant


MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Minneapolis woman who was paralyzed weeks before her wedding is rebuilding her life after receiving a second heart transplant.

Tannhauser later received a successful heart transplant April 3, according to People.

It was her second heart transplant.

Tannhauser’s heart problems began when she was a child. According to a profile by Abbott, she was diagnosed with an irregular heart rhythm at age 8 and underwent more than 10 surgeries over the next five years.

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She received her first heart transplant on Sept. 7, 2011, when she was 17, Abbott said.

After that transplant, Tannhauser earned a biomedical engineering degree and went on to work with Abbott’s vascular team as a field clinical specialist, helping with cardiovascular clinical trials, according to the company.

Now, the fundraiser is helping Tannhauser and Pfaff pay for medical bills, rehabilitation, accessible housing, and transportation.





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